But the Brazilian attacker has admitted that he could leave Lazio this month in what is a significant boost for Louis van Gaal.

Anderson, who has lost his regular starting place for the Italian side in recent weeks, came off the bench to score in Lazio’s 3-1 win over Fiorentina on Saturday night.

Speaking afterwards to Sky Sports, the Brazil international said: “I’m living a difficult moment, but I still try to do well. Future? I’m not sure if I’ll stay, I just focus on working and giving my best. Then we’ll see.”

United submitted the huge offer for the Brazilian winger in a bid to tempt Lazio into a sale in the January transfer window.

A source from the club has told Football Insider that the bid was worth an initial £30million plus £7.6million of performance-related add-ons.

Lazio are keen to hold out for a higher fee for the 22-year-old, who transferred from Santos in the summer of 2013. He signed a new contract last March that runs until the summer of 2020.

It remains to be seen whether United will return with a bigger offer for the winger, who has scored five goals and supplied three assists in his 26 appearances for Lazio this season.